Where Is Joshua?

"Mama! Joshua is in Heaven right?!"

"That's right bud. He is in Heaven. He has a new body, he has a new heart. He isn't sick anymore."

"Mama? Can Joshua see us?"

"I think he can. He can pray for us too."

"Can he come here to our home?"

"No, sweetie, he can't come into our home. He is not a ghost. He isn't anywhere but Heaven."

"Is he an angel? Can he fly?"

"Nope. He's just Joshua. He's not an angel. He's not a spirit. He's a real being. With a tummy, with fingers. With toes. With a heart."

"How?"

"His spirit- that's what's in his heart and his body, left his body here on Earth. It went up to Heaven where God gave him a brand new body."

"Oh.......what does he look like now?"

"I'm not sure. But I know that when we get to Heaven, we will know who he is."

"Mom?"

"What?"

"I want some popcorn."

"Alright sweetie."

If you couldn't guess. That was a conversation Caleb and I had a few nights ago. He is fascinated with where Joshua is right now and what he's doing up there. Shane and I try to be direct and as factual as possible about where and what Joshua is. We want him to understand that Heaven is not a place to be afraid of or a place to dread going to.

Over the past few weeks, I've been reading a book called "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn. (I've blogged about it before right here. and no, i'm not compensated in any form to talk about it....it is a book that i have truly enjoyed reading and HIGHLY reccommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic.)

If you have ever lost someone close to you, or if you ever will lose someone close to you, or if you yourself may someday die, (that is pretty much everyone right? unless they have figured out where the tree of life is- which happens to be discussed in this book!) this book is such a comfort and is a must read.

It uses biblical knowledge and scripture to help us understand Heaven- it also encourages the reader to look up and search for the Biblical basis for his writings. He doesn't want the reader to take his word for it- he wants us to figure it out ourselves.

It explains that we go to Heaven as physical beings because Heaven is a physical place. (Revelation 10:9-10)

Often times, infant loss survivors are described as "Angel Parents." We often like to think of our little ones up in heaven flying around with silver wings as sweet heavenly beings. This could not be the furthest thing from the truth. (and quite honestly, the thought of my baby being an angel kind of depresses me)

Our babies are not up in Heaven as angels. They are up there as physical beings- perfected humans. They are growing, learning, praying, and enjoying the presence of God. They are exploring Heaven (which is just like Earth, but perfect in form- without sin, without disease, without worry or pain. Hebrews 8:5, Hebrews 12:22, Revelation 7:9, Revelation 8:6, Revelation 8:13, Revelation 19:14)

Our babies who have gone before us (or other family members or friends for that matter) are not spirits here on Earth. They can't whisper to us in the trees or the wind. They aren't angels flying around in the clouds. They are physical beings in a physical Heaven- experiencing pure joy, love, and peace.
I don't know about you, but that brings me so much comfort.

I love life here on Earth. I love creation, the outdoors, the seasons. I love watching people, traveling, meeting new people, and watching children learn and grow. I love everything that life has to offer.

The thought of going to heaven and doing nothing but singing worship songs and bowing down to the Great and Almighty God seems a bit redundant and boring to me- especially when I think about that as my eternal future. Quite honestly, that is not very appealing to me, and doesn't get me excited to go to Heaven.

But that isn't what Heaven will be like. Yes we will dwell with God. God will dwell among us. Yes, we will worship and praise and bring Glory to Him. Yes, our lives will be nothing but worship, but it's not going to be like we think. Just our existence will bring worship, honor, and glory. We can roam Heaven freely, we can explore, live, (eat....ICE CREAM ANYONE?!) and ask God questions. We will be able to see our loved ones on Earth, pray for them, and wait for them to join us. We will be able to see the "bigger picture" and understand and remember things more clearly than we can imagine.

So while I mourn that Joshua isn't here on Earth with our family, I rejoice that he is alive and well. I thank God for allowing Joshua full healing and a perfect life in Heaven. But my heart misses him here in this life.

I'm also thankful for authors like Randy Alcorn who share their knowledge to help bring peace, joy, and healing in the midst of our suffering.

I cannot wait for the day that I get to go where Joshua is!